NOVEL WEB Chapter 2
As Acella gazed out the window, she exuded a charm that was fitting for her age of fourteen.
Dressed in an opulent, vintage gown befitting a princess, the sunlight filtered through the willows, revealing her delicate silhouette between the fabric.
Her pristine shoulders, connected to a plush neckline, sparked a hint of imagination about the gestures hidden beneath her collar.
In her indifferent expression while gazing at the flowers lingered a sprinkle of curiosity.
It made me wonder if she was a being from another world, a stark contrast to the crazy wicked woman I knew.
…But she is certainly beautiful.
“No way.”
I hastily brushed aside the thought that this girl might not be the same as the 7th Empress of the Empire.
After all, she was the wicked woman who had sentenced me to death countless times. No matter how youthful she looked, there was no kindness in her heart.
“First, I need to understand the situation. I’ve returned not just a month, but ten years into the past. Are there any side effects?”
One phrase caught my eye on the status window.
[All playtime has been used.]
[Regression is now impossible.]
This meant it was my last chance.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s enough.”
Living one time in a world filled with limitless opportunities was better than infinitely repeating a confined month.
Not even ten years.
This time there won’t be a bad ending for me.
I ought to enjoy my life; don’t you think?
There was even one extra perk.
“Ending List.”
A list displayed on the status window.
―――――――――――
○ Ending List
You can see the real-time probabilities of each ending occurring from the current moment.
Bad endings that have a 0% occurrence rate will be removed from the list and will no longer happen.
· Bad Ending
No. 001: Dragon Legion (New!) 42%
No. 002: Great Collapse 22%
No. 003: Execution of the White Man 87%
No. 004: Sweet Poison 56%
No. 005: Demon King’s Victory 73%
……
No. 101: Magic Explosion 4%
―――――――――――
“Wow, this is dreadful.”
I didn’t realize how many had accumulated without being organized into a list.
How thoughtful of them to number each entry.
Going through them one by one, they were deaths I had personally experienced.
Some had been bad endings I’d encountered several times. Like No. 5, where if I lost the final battle against the Demon King, it would appear.
“Ugh, that’s chilling.”
Every single letter evokes unpleasant memories. I don’t want to see it all again.
The list continued. I scrolled down.
―――――――――――
· Normal Ending
· ■■■■■■■■■ ■■■ 0.1%
· ■■■ ■■■ ■■ ■■■ 0.3%
· ■■■ ■■■■■ 0.2%
· Good Ending
· ■■■ ■, ■■ ■■■■ 0%
· ■■■■, ■■■, ■■■■ 0%
· ■■■ ■■ 0%
· ■■■■
· ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■ 0%
―――――――――――
“There are some after all?”
Normal and Good endings were dutifully listed.
“That means the probability of appearing is if I do nothing from now on.”
No, the odds are garbage.
The Good Ending has a probability of 0.
I should file a lawsuit for unfair trade practices.
“Does that mean the probabilities change according to my actions from now on?”
Maybe there will be a chance for the Good Ending.
This seems worth experimenting with.
Just then, a knock sounded, and a middle-aged man’s voice came from outside.
“—Young Master, it’s time to truly prepare.”
I wanted to check the status window a bit more, but it seemed I didn’t have much time.
Acella was my betrothed and the princess of the Empire.
It would be absurd for a betrothed from a marquis family not to come out to greet the Empress and my family.
The sun was high up, and it was indeed disgraceful for someone who had been lazing about until now.
“In the original story, I, Lars Gothberg, was a disgraceful character known as the family’s prodigal son.”
My status and reputation in the family are undoubtedly at rock bottom.
Thus, in this grand mansion, they must have shoved me into the farthest annex, hoping I wouldn’t stir up trouble even on a day like today.
“In ten years, I lost my family, my health, and faced disdain at every turn.”
If this situation continues, a similar future awaits me.
I must change starting now.
I rose from my seat and flung the door open.
“Oh my, you’re awake?”
The butler gasped and averted his gaze.
His face seemed vaguely familiar.
“Surely that’s Cervus, my personal butler.”
I calmly replied to him.
“Good morning, Cervus.”
“Y-yes, yes.”
Cervus was sweating profusely, clearly flustered by my response.
It was as if he had eaten something wrong.
“Get ready immediately. Bring me my formal attire. And sincerely apologize to the princess for the delay in welcoming her.”
Cervus’s mouth fell open at my demands.
“Did I speak too quickly? I thought an efficient man like you would remember.”
Finally, Cervus shook his head vigorously and responded promptly.
“Of course, sir! However, I didn’t expect you to be… so gentlemanly…”
“Haha, it’s a day when my betrothed is coming. How could I be flustered? Oh, and don’t forget the refreshments.”
“Understood! I’ll get right on it!”
As Cervus rushed to comply, I gave a couple of light taps on his shoulder.
“Yes, Young Master. Is there anything else you require…?”
“Always working hard, Cervus.”
At my words, Cervus looked visibly moved.
I could easily tell he was emotional.
“Why is that?”
“N-no, it’s nothing. It’s just been ten years since I’ve served you, and I didn’t think you would remember my name…”
He dashed off to perform his duties with a determined demeanor. His loyalty was impressive.
With the help of Cervus and the maids, I quickly finished my preparations.
I descended the stairs to the first floor of the annex.
Just before stepping out the front door, I noticed various swords artfully displayed above the fireplace.
“Hmmm.”
I looked around. Having descended so quickly, the attendants hadn’t yet arrived.
I swiftly grabbed a dagger from the display, concealing it at my waist, and picked up my pace as if nothing had happened.
The Gothberg family’s mansion was grand, fitting for a marquis family, consisting of multiple buildings with a vast premises.
My room was located in the annex of this mansion.
The garden where Acella was strolling was right behind the annex, allowing for immediate access.
As I entered the flowerbed, a soft crunch crunch sounded as my shoes pressed against the grass.
I passed the towering willows, feeling the golden light hair of the princess draw nearer with each step.
The refreshing breeze lightly caressed her, and she turned her head to meet my gaze.
‘Her gaze remains unchanged.’
The long eyelashes of Acella, like the wings of a crow, brushed up and down as if fanning me.
Her golden irises sparkled like topaz in the desert, and if I lost focus for even a moment, I felt as if I might be drawn in.
Acella von Württemberg.
The future 7th Empress of the Empire and one destined to reach the apex of magic.
Or should I call her a magical weapon?
A legendary wicked woman who, in her hatred towards the world, would deploy every means at her disposal to step toward its destruction.
And now, she was my betrothed.
Yikes, chills.
“Your Highness.”
I called her lightly, and her tiny lips returned the greeting.
“Prince Gothberg.”
Hearing that voice made me unintentionally clench my fist.
Was it fear from the deaths she’d caused me, or was it anger?
Well, I’ve struck up a conversation, but how should I handle this woman now?
Part of me wanted to land a punch filled with all the resentments I had.
‘Hold on, I must hold back.’
I can no longer regress.
There was also a desire to run away.
Just the thought of the magic Acella had used made my heart pound with terror.
If I could just sign the engagement cancellation and go about my business, while letting this wicked woman go her way, that would be splendid.
But if I ran away, Acella would become Empress and would likely lead the world to destruction.
The ending list was quite clear on that point.
‘What if I kill Acella now?’
The future Acella would gain immense power and magic.
No enemies would remain in the vicinity.
If I took her out before she became Emperor, I could prevent dozens of bad endings.
…Ten years into the past now, she hasn’t committed any atrocities yet.
I truly had died countless times because of Acella, and it was undeniable she would go down in history as the worst of the wicked women.
“I’m honored to meet you. This is our first time meeting directly. Gothberg’s Gyeong-sik pays his respects to Your Highness.”
I bowed my head to show my respect. Acella lowered her eyes and scrutinized me.
‘What will happen now?’
Slowly, I reached for the dagger hidden behind my back.
I prepared to draw it and assassinate her.
Given Acella’s current state, she likely wouldn’t wield any formidable magic yet.
On the other hand, I had experienced countless battlefields.
I could end this swiftly.
Suddenly, the numbers on the status window started to change erratically.
―――――――――――
· Bad Ending
No. 001: Dragon Legion (New!) 42% → 0%
No. 002: Great Collapse 22% → 0%
No. 003: Execution of the White Man 87% → 0%
No. 004: Sweet Poison 56% → 0%
No. 005: Demon King’s Victory 73% → 98%
……
No. 101: Magic Explosion 4% → 100%
―――――――――――
‘Oh ho.’
As expected, most endings associated with her future wrongdoing would be wiped off the list.
However, just one— the probability of the Magic Explosion bad ending shot up to 100%.
‘That’s right, this was the ending where Acella’s magic runs amok and consumes the continent.’
I still remember the sensation vividly.
That disheartening feeling of being crushed by her magic.
Killing her now meant that magic inside her would explode at that very moment.
What am I, a living bomb? Obviously, she’s a troublesome woman.
‘I can’t just kill her recklessly.’
If I assassinate her here, it’s obvious I’ll be the prime suspect.
I can’t get executed for the crime of regicide.
I understood how the ending list operates.
I returned the dagger to its place.
‘While Acella is still young, I need to find a way to keep the bad endings from happening. Then I can escape.’
With that thought in mind, a cold voice pierced my eardrums like a needle.
“Aren’t you going to draw that knife?”
…Hmmm.
Did I mess up?
The number next to the ending list turned a malevolent crimson, swirling ominously.
[No. 056: Wicked Woman’s Hatred 6% → 99%]
‘No, that’s the ending where Acella simply kills me.’
It mainly emerged when I lost my temper at Acella, annoyed her, or challenged her to a fight.
This is a disaster.
A bad ending could come to fruition at any moment!
I had underestimated this woman.
To think she’d notice the dagger I was hiding behind my back.
‘Sigh.’
In that case, I’ll just have to improvise.
“Of course, I must draw it. A man must not leave a knife undrawn once he has grabbed it.”
“Quite the audacity.”
“Then Your Highness, might I propose you reveal what you have concealed behind your back?”
At my suggestion, Acella hesitated.
From the moment we met, she had also been hiding both hands behind her back.
I relayed a tale of an event that had occurred earlier that day.
Acella had mentioned being scolded by me after picking a yellow rose in the garden.
I had shouted because she recklessly damaged something from another family.
She had kept that incident buried in her heart.
Truly, a woman’s resentment runs deep.
Acella continued to hesitate, so I urged her more firmly.
“Shouldn’t we show what we’re holding without hiding anything from each other? After all, we are betrothed.”
“…You make a valid point.”
Acella dropped the rose she had concealed.
Regardless of the betrothal, the garden belonged to another family.
She knew it was wrong to trample freely upon it, as a hint of tension was evident.
I approached her with the dagger in hand.
Slowly, I kneeled on one leg.
Then I began trimming the thorny stems of the rose with my dagger.
“What are you doing?”
“The world’s most beautiful flowers have the most thorns. It would be a disaster if Your Highness were to get wounded.”
I gingerly peeled each thorn away with the dagger.
“How did you know?”
“My room is right up there.”
I nodded, gesturing towards my room.
“From up there, I could see your lovely figure. I noticed you picking flowers, so I got prepared.”
“Hmm.”
Did that not work?
Maybe it sounded too far-fetched?
Silly rose.
If only an assassin had shown up, I could’ve just stabbed him instead.
No, that assassin is me.
Please let this situation pass. I fervently prayed while diligently working on the rose’s stem when suddenly, bam!
Acella bent down, gripping my chin so that I met her eyes.
Her deep golden irises seemed to draw me in, almost devouring me.
“You, come to my room in a bit.”
Acella said to me with a devilish smile.
A smile that felt all too familiar.
―――――――――――
· Notification: The probability of ending occurrence has changed.
· Bad Ending
No. 056: Wicked Woman’s Hatred 99% → 21%
· Good Ending
■■■ ■, ■■ ■■■■
0% → 0.04%
■■■■
■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■
0% → 0.001%
―――――――――――